Right to Work in the UK checks – updated March 2022

(Updated 4th March 2022) The Government announced on 30th March 2020 that there would be changes to Right to Work in the UK checks, during the Coronavirus pandemic. You can read the details here and here are the important details (directly quoted).

As of 30 March 2020 the following temporary changes have been made:

• checks can now be carried out over video calls
• job applicants and existing workers can send scanned documents or a photo of documents for checks using email or a mobile app, rather than sending originals
• employers should use the Employer Checking Service if a prospective or existing employee cannot provide any of the accepted documents

Checks continue to be necessary and you must continue to check the prescribed documents listed in right to work checks: an employer’s guide. It remains an offence to knowingly employ anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK.

After the COVID-19 measures end

The Covid changes to the Right to Work checks were due to come to an end on 16th May 2021, but this was delayed continuously and finally stopped on 30th September 2022!. 

Originally, the Government advised (that after the covid checking measures end) you should follow the checking process set out in right to work checks: an employer’s guide  and carry out a manual right to work check using original documents (or an online right to work check where this is available, for this with Biometric Residence Permits or Cards, a Frontier Worker permit or an EU Settlement Scheme status). 

However, in early January 2022, the Government announced that digital right-to-work checks were to be made permanent.  Digital checks are due to launch on 6th April 2022, for British and Irish Nationals.  se!

From 6th April 2022 also, only digital right to work checks will be acceptable for most non-UK nationals – further information about that is here.  The existing online service is free, and can be used for applicants from overseas.who have a Biometric Residence Card or Permit, or a Frontier Worker Permit, or an EU Settlement Scheme status.

Further information will follow as the IDVT technology has not yet been released, but it is understood that the cost of the digital checks is to be funded by employers, with an individual check for UK Nationals costing between £1.45 and £70 each.

You can read The HR Kiosk’s Guidance for Employers about Coronavirus here.